Piano key



i 1,623,331 G. BECKER PIANO KEY Filed Aug. 25; 192s April 59 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES l f 1,623,331 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE J. BECKER, OF ANNADALE, NEW' YORK. i

PIANO Application filed August 25, 1923. Serial No.7659,296.

My invention relates to an in'iprovementl to the key of a piano action whereby it is not necessary to remove the lkey for padding it up to get the same in proper position.

My invention consists of means whereby it is possible to assemble in their respective positions each and every key belonging to the action, then to adjust each separate key up or down as the case may require so as to attain its proper position.

My invention is simple, durable and ex-L peditiously manipulated, as well as being cheap and very easily applied to any make of piano. l

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, further objects kand' advantages willL appear as the description of the invention is hereinafter developed.

Referring to the drawings wherein is shown what is now considered to be the preferred form of my invention:

Figure 1 is a partial view of afpiano action, showing my invention in operative position thereon; r

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a port-ion of the key showing. t-he position of the elevating and lowering means;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same showing the linger depressed to raise "the key; f

Figure i is a side view of the same part of the key showing the side guides applied, and

Figure 5 is .a modified form of guide.

The assembling ofthe many keys on the key board of a piano is quite long and tedious, each and every key has to be raised or lowered to the proper height and at the same time to the proper touch. The operation requiring the placing .and removal of each key many times from the pin on the rocker block so as to place on the pin or remove therefrom as the case may require paper washers or punchings that are used for the purpose. With the herein improve ment about one tenth of the time is required for the proper positioning of a key board of 88 notes.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts designates the same reference numerals. Referring particularly to Figure l, the ordinary base or bed of the piano is designa-ted by the numeral 6, upon which the various keys are assembled. The bed is pro vided at its front end with a rail pin 7 which is usually provided with a felt punching or washer 8, while 9 is the balancing rail block, from the center of which extends upwardly a pin l() which holds a felt punching ll. A suitable distance in the rear is placed a rear cloth or felt l2 .which cushions the key on its return.

rlhe key. 13 is of the ordinary design and material and having therein an opening 14: toL receive the pai 7, and an opening 15 of an angular variety for allowing the ,key to rock on the vpin l0, at the same time having such proportions as to hold therein a felt lining it that prevents the pin from coming in contact with the wood, said key having the usual button i7 thereon, as well as the rear button 1S, which lies immediately under the capstan screw 19, while immediately above the latter is located the abstract 20, which in turn operates the ymechanism for the particular note. The mechanism as shown inthe illustration is about the 'usual arrangement in upright pianos, yet the key mechanism shown yherein is, as has been noted, not limited to such pianos. That part of the key 13, that lies immediately above the balance rail block 9, is preferably cut as shown at 2i, forming thereby a linger 22, said lfingerl being reinforced at its rear end by a spring 23, that is countersunk and held in position by suitable screws 24, kthus having no projecting parts on said key. Vhile the upper forward end of said finger is cupped as at 25, which cup receives 'and holds the inner freek end of a screw 26, the head 27 of which lies to the forward end of the key button 17 and thereby aifords easy access to the same for the proper adjusting of such key to the desired height.

l/Vith my improved key it will no longer be necessary to lift each key from its pin 10 to build it up, to the desired height, which in the parlance of the trade is known vas kkey leveling. In eifecting this leveling operation, the key is .set to the touch and, as has been b'eforev noted, very often is required to be removed many times before the correct leveling is accomplished.

lith my improvement the raising and lowering of any key on any piano is effected by inserting a screw-driver in the slot of the screw 26 and turning the same it will cause the finger 22 to be pushed downwardly against the action of the spring 23, and thereby lift the key to the desired height. The end of the screw being reduced, and the head of the finger 22, being cupped forms a housing for the end of the screw, and thereby forms one means whereby the finger is at all times kept in vertical alignment with the key. Again by withdrawing the screw Q6, the finger will permit the key to be lowered the desired distance.

While the finger 22 is shown integra. with key 13, with the narrow part, forming in conjunction with the spring 23, a hinge about which the finger bends, it will be understood that the said finger could be of a separate piece or part adapted to be set into the opening in the key, with the spring 23 acting in the same capacity.

Again to insure the finger at all times being held secure in place, there may be secured to the side of the finger aperture, a part 28, (see Figure @located in a recess on each side of the key, of course when such guards are used corresponding recesses must be provided in the finger, so that there will be no projecting parts from the key to interfere with the proper working and assembling of the keys. Of course the saine may be accomplished by having an extension 29, secured to the finger, and its free end housed in a slot 30, it being very important that such finger being at all times in strict alignment with the key.

In accordance with the provision of the patent statutes I have herein described the principal forms of my invention which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it under- -f stood that the various forms are only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out in other ways other than those shown and described, but all are intended to come within the scope of the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device for leveling piano keys comprising a. finger formed by cutting into the material of the key, and said finger being normally seated in the cutaway portion oit the key, a spring device attached to the key and extending across the point of connection between the key and the finger to resist displacement ofthe finger from the cutaway portion of the key, said finger being provided with aI recess at its free end, and an adjusting element extending through the key in an angular direction `and having its end received in the recess to hold the finger in .alignment with the body of the key, and to positively move the finger` out of the cutaway port-ion of the key.

2. A device for leveling piano keys comprising a/ finger formed by partially severing a section of the material of the key, and said finger being normally seated in the cutaway portion so formed in the key, an elongated spring attached at one of its ends tothe body ofthe key and extending across the point of connection between the key and the finger to .resist displacement 4of the finger from kthe cutaway portion of the key, said finger being provided with a. cupped shaped recess at its free end, and an adjusting screw extending angularly. through the key and having its end received in the recess in the finger to hold the finger in alignment with the body of the key, and to positively move the finger out of the cutaway portion of the key.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE J., BECKER. 

